Ugo Monye: I want another go

HARLEQUINS resume the defence of their title at Bath tonight with discarded England wing Ugo Monye aiming to regain England coach Stuart Lancaster’s favour before next Saturday’s Test with New Zealand.

Monye scored a try against Fiji a fortnight ago but was dropped to accommodate Chris Ashton after his return from suspension.

Charlie Sharples was moved from the right to his wrong wing against Australia, then dropped for Monye’s club full-back Mike Brown against South Africa.

“I have a big game coming up,” said Monye. “If I can play well, I will be putting my hand up to play against New Zealand.

“You want to be consistently putting pressure on the guys who are in the team. The only way you can do that is by playing well for yourself.

“Whether that be for England or your club, you always have to perform. Mike has different strengths. He has a fantastic left boot and he has been unlucky not to play the last couple of games at full-back, so it’s good he has been given a run.”

If this is typically generous, it is equally galling for Monye that Lancaster ignores his one specialist left wing. Quins top the Premiership on points difference from Saracens, who play Worcester at Sixways.

If I can play well, I will be putting my hand up to play against New Zealand

Ugo Monye

IRELAND bring Craig Gilroy in for Ulster team-mate Andrew Trimble to face Argentina in the only change from their 16-12 loss against South Africa.